Drug Use and HIV Disease

In this program, participants will explore the relationships between mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. Topics include: a) the effects of mental health and substance abuse disorders on sexual risk taking; b) the ways in which illicit drug use and mental health issues affect engagement and retention in HIV care; and, c) evidence-based approaches to the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS who struggle with co-occurring disorders. Case study vignettes are used to highlight evidence-based treatment approaches applicable to clinical practice.

This workshop was developed by the HIV Office for Psychology Education (HOPE) Program of the APA Office on AIDS through funding from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) (Contract No. 280-04-0121).

Learning Objective 1:Learn why and how mental healthy and substance abuse problems place people at greater risk for HIV infection.

Learning Objective 2:Understand how the combined burdens of substance abuse, mental health, and HIV affect the lives of HIV-positive individuals.

Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS is internationally recognized for his work examining the intersection between HIV, drug abuse, and mental health, and is well known as one of the nation’s leading experts on methamphetamine addiction and HIV behavior research. Dr. Halkitis served as editor of two recent volumes: HIV + Sex: The Psychological and Interpersonal Dynamics of HIV-seropositive Gay and Bisexual Men’s Relationships (2005, APA), and Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Perspectives (2006, Haworth Press). His newest book is Methamphetamine: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (2009, APA). Dr. Halkits has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed academic publications. His research examines how sexual and drug-related risk taking are influenced by interpersonal, intrapersonal, contextual, developmental, and cultural factors in the United States.

1 User Review

"I thought the content was thorough and informative, and the pace was good. I am concerned about the way some of the discussion about the interchanges of having HIV and other mental health challenges was handled. I think this actually added to the stigma we need to overcome. There was also a comment about how hard it is to take HIV medications, but this is better than the alternative. As a person with HIV, I don't find it that difficult so I think we need to let people speak for themselves and not perpetuate a message that it is hard.
I did appreciate the notion of syndemics, as I was not familiar with it but see how it can help articulate the challenges.
I would recommend considering, for clinicians working with clients who have mental health issues (depression) and substance abuse to introduce the idea of self-testing as a tool for the client - possibly in sessions - for education and empowerment purposes, rather than relying on traditional testing centers. It can be a part of their own road on the continuum to self-care. "
— Bradley O.